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[7-Colonial-Ave]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]

[NEWSCAST=AM Cutins]
[WRITER=dse]
[TAPE#=None]
[GRAPHIC=None]

We have some traffic information to pass along to motorist this morning.
Colonial Avenue in Roanoke has re-opened in the area of the Roanoker Restaraunt.
A trash truck leaked hydraulic fluid on the road at around 6 this morning.
Crews worked for about an hour this morning to clean the spill.

[7-E-Switched-Babies]

The story of the baby girls switched at birth at U-V-A Medical Center shocked the nation four years ago.
Now, the strange tale is having a new chapter written in a Buena Vista courtroom.
That's where Paula Johnson hopes to gain custody of her biological daughter who was taken away from her.
Steve Smallshaw reports.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-Buena Vista; :00]
[SUPER=01-Mike Groot/Chittum Family Attorney; :15]
[SUPER=01-W. T. "Pete" Robey/Rogers Family Attorney; :42]
[SUPER=01-Shirely Feazell/Chittum Family Supporter; :59]
[super=@ssm1; 1:07]
[runs=1:20]
[OUT Q=N7]

[7-E-Trumbo]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=AM Cutins]
[WRITER=tte]
[tape=#99-36 9:08]
[graphic=Va. Capitol]
A senator from Southwest Virginia is ready to take on new responsibilites in the State Senate.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Franklin Co.;]
Republican Bo Trumbo wants to run the Senate Rules Committee.
If he gets elected as chairman next week, he will decide if and when bills get heard.
He will also control investigations and oversee every other committee chairman.
Even local Democrats say it would be good to have a Southwest Virginian in a seat of such power.
Trumbo says he'd like to reduce the number of studies because they cost taxpayers money and are often for political purposes only.
(------------)

[45-Colonial-Ave]

We have some traffic information to pass along to motorist this morning.
Colonial Avenue in Roanoke has re-opened in the area of the Roanoker Restaraunt.
A trash truck leaked hydraulic fluid on the road at around 6 this morning.
Crews worked for about an hour this morning to clean the spill.

(( After more than 20 years of service Vinton's Police Chief Ricky Foutz and his Lieutenant Willam Brown Jr. retired -- effective immediately.
Sgt. Andy Corbin says this was unexpected and has been an adjustment for the officers.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 8:25:19]
[IN Q=A sense of shock and suprise]
((A SENSE OF SHOCK AND SURPRISE. IT'S A PASSING OF AN ERA SO TO SPEAK. I GUESS ANY TIME YOU HAVE A CHANGE IT'S DISRUPTIVE. AND IT'S DIFFICULT TO ACCEPT SOME TIMES))
[RUNS= 22]
[OUT Q=some time]

For the time, Corbin will be in command until town council meets on Tuesday to make changes.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 7:54:37]
[IN Q=What we're doing is]
((WHAT WE'RE DOING IS THE COUNCIL HAS ASKED STAFF TO LOOK INTO POSSIBLY FIND SOMEONE WHO COULD ACT AS INTERIM CHIEF. THAT PERSON WOULD HAVE TO MEET THE QUALIFICATION AND CRITERIA AND AFTER THAT WE HOPE VERY QUICKLY PROCEED, THEN COUNCIL WILL PROCEED WITH A PERMANENT REPLACEMENT))
[RUNS= 17]
[OUT Q=replacement]

This news comes at a time when the Vinton Police Department is being investigated by a special grand jury.
Town manager Clay Goodman would not comment if this investigation played a part in their sudden retirement -- but did say the town requested the investigation.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 7:57:44]
[IN Q=I had received]
((I HAD RECEIVED SOME INFORMATION IN REGARDS TO SOME ALLEGATIONS THAT I THOUGHT WARRANTED FURTHER INVESTIGATION))
[RUNS= 4]
[OUT Q=further investigation]

Joy Sutton, News 7, Vinton.))

[45-AT-NS]

When it comes to hikers on the Appalachian Trail officials are looking for some kind of arrangement with Norfolk Southern, allowing hikers to walk across the tracks where they intersect with the trail.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Troutville]

The railroad has been aggressively targeting such "at- grade" crossings, trying to eliminate as many of them as possible.
While the government has sued N-S over this three-one hundredths of an acre of land, Norfolk Southern would rather see a bridge or an underpass constructed.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 13:07:45]
[IN Q=I suppose anything]
((I SUPPOSE ANYTHING WOULD HELP. IF A PERSON ISN'T FAMILIAR WITH CROSSING TRACKS. BUT HAVING WORKED FOR THE RAILROAD, I'M VERY FAMILIAR. "STOP, LOOK AND LISTEN."))
[SUPER=01-Ron Garten/Day Hiker]
[RUNS=10]
[OUT Q=look and listen.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

The railroad concedes there have to be one or more places where the trail crosses the tracks. The company predicts the suit will be resolved through negotiations.
(------------)

[8-Vinton-Resignation]

In the midst of a special grand jury investigation, two members of the Vinton Police Department have stepped down.

It's the first time two members of the department have stepped down at the same time.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Chief Rick Foutz and Lieutenant William Brown, Junior have retired effective immediately.
Now the town is scrambling to fill their positions.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 7:56:55]
[IN Q=You're always concerned]
((YOU'RE ALWAYS CONCERNED WHEN YOU LOSE THE LEADERSHIP THAT WE HAVE AND MANY YEARS OF SERVICE AND THE IMPACT ON THE ORGANIZATION CAN NOT BE UNDERESTIMATED))
[SUPER=01-Clay Goodman/Vinton Town Manager]
[RUNS=:06]
[OUT Q=under estimated]
(-----------)
[VO-NAT]

Sergeant Andy Corbin will be in command at least until Tuesday when town council will meet to pick an interim chief while searching for a permanent replacement.
(--------------)
[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[GRAPHIC=None]

Clay Goodman would not comment on whether the investigation had an impact on the sudden retirements.
But he did say the town is providing its full support to the special grand jury.

[8-E-Burcham]

Roanoke's new city manager takes the reigns in the new year, but Darlene Burcham says she's overwhelmed by the warm welcome Roanokers have already extended.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke;]

Yesterday, Burcham met with Mayor David Bowers at the Hotel Roanoke.
Though her selection wasn't unanimous, Burcham says she's looking forward to a fruitful relationship with city council.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 02:55]
[IN Q=I feel like I'm]
((DARLENE BURCHAM: I FEEL LIKE I'M THE KIND OF CITY MANAGER THEY WERE LOOKING FOR AND IT SEEMS LIKE THEY'RE READY FOR ME TO COME. AND I'M READY TO BE HERE JUST AS SOON AS THE FIRST OF THE YEAR ROLLS AROUND. AND I THINK WE'RE GOING TO MAKE A GREAT TEAM.))
[SUPER=01-Darlene Burcham/City Manager Designate]
[RUNS=:13]
[OUT Q=make a great team.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Burcham will receive a formal introduction at Monday's meeting of city council.
She's now searching for a place to live, and says she plans to "bum around" Roanoke this weekend, to get a feel for the city.
(------------)

[8-E-Trumbo]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=AM Cutins]
[WRITER=tte]
[tape=#99-36 9:08]
[graphic=Va. Capitol]
A senator from Southwest Virginia is ready for a new challenge.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Franklin Co.;]
Republican Bo Trumbo wants to run the state Senate Rules Committee.
If he gets elected as chairman next week, he will decide if and when bills get heard.
He will also control investigations and oversee every other committee chairman.
Even local Democrats say it would be good to have a Southwest Virginian in a seat of such power.
Trumbo says he'd like to reduce the number of studies because they cost taxpayers money and are often for political purposes only.
(------------)

[8Weather]

Before we wrap up this morning, here's a final look at today's weather...
Mostly cloudy skies, with morning drizzle and fog.
Highs only reaching the mid 50s.
Tonight looks partly cloudy, with fog re- developing and lows in the lower 40s.
The extended forecast is warm and pleasant over the weekend.
Highs in the upper 60s and lows 70s....overnight lows in the 40s.
[SUPER=X5000; set dissolve]
[SUPER=314-Mostly Cloudy/Drizzle & Fog/52-57/Partly Cloudy/Fog Re-developing/40-45;]
[SUPER=#555; reset]